System and method for encryption of image data in a networked environment

ABSTRACT

This invention is directed to a system and method for the encryption of image data in a networked environment. More particularly, this invention is directed to a system and method for encrypting documents or data generated via an associated image generating device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a system and method for the encryption ofimage data in a networked environment. More particularly, this inventionis directed to a system and method for encrypting documents or datagenerated via an associated image generating device.

Often in an office environment, personnel will need to digitizedocuments. Digitization may be for transmission, such as via electronicmail attachment, for archiving, reproduction, or electronic alteration.Many times, such document will contain sensitive information. In earliersystems a resultant electronic document or image would be placed on apublicly accessible storage device where it would be accessible toothers to view or copy.

A user will typically use an image generating device or multifunctionalperipheral to scan documents and generate image data in a selectedformat, such as TIFF or PDF file formats. Once generated, the TIFF orPDF file containing the image data may be stored onto a local or networkfile, or transferred to an FTP server, an electronic mail server, orother network device. However, the file containing the image data is notencrypted and does not have any security features to preventunauthorized access to such file. Any user with access to the file wouldbe able to see the contents of the file.

The subject inventions solves the aforementioned problems and provides asystem and method for the encryption of image data in a networkedenvironment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a system andmethod for encryption of image data in a networked environment.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided asystem and method which encrypts image data and prevents unauthorizedaccess to the image data.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided asystem and method wherein generated image data is converted to apassword protected file format prior to transferring the file to aselected destination.

Still further, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a system for encryption of image data in a networkedenvironment. The system comprises means adapted for receiving electronicdocument data from an associated image generating device and meansadapted for receiving, from an associated user, password data associatedwith the received electronic document data. The system also comprisesencryption means adapted for encrypting the electronic document data inaccordance with the password data and means adapted for communicatingencrypted electronic data to a selected network device via an associateddata network.

Preferably, the system comprises an image generating device forgenerating the electronic document data. The image generating deviceincludes a facsimile device, a scanning device, a copying device, anoptical character recognition device, and a multifunctional peripheraldevice.

In a preferred embodiment, the selected network device includes a datastorage device. Preferably the data storage device includes an FTPserver and an electronic mail server.

In a preferred embodiment, the password data forms an encryption key forthe encrypting of the electronic data. In a preferred embodiment, thesystem also includes means adapted for converting the image data to aselected format prior to communicating the encrypted electronic data tothe selected network device.

Still further, in accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a method for encryption of image data in a networkedenvironment. The method comprises the steps of receiving electronicdocument data from an associated image generating device and receiving,from an associated user, password data associated with the receivedelectronic document data. The method also comprises the steps ofencrypting the electronic document data in accordance with the passworddata and communicating encrypted electronic data to a selected networkdevice via an associated data network.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of generating theimage data via an associated image generating device. The imagegenerating device includes a facsimile device, a scanning device, acopying device, an optical character recognition device, and amultifunctional peripheral device.

In a preferred embodiment, the selected network device includes a datastorage device. Preferably the data storage device includes an FTPserver and an electronic mail server.

In a preferred embodiment, the password data forms an encryption key forthe encrypting of the electronic data. In a preferred embodiment, themethod also includes the step of converting the image data to a selectedformat prior to communicating the encrypted electronic data to theselected network device.

These and other aspects, advantages, and features of the presentinvention will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art uponreading and understanding the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject invention is described with reference to certain parts, andarrangements to parts, which are evidenced in conjunction with theassociated drawings, which form a part hereof and not, for the purposesof limiting the same in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrative of the system of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 3 is a sample template for selecting the parameters for the imagegeneration; and

FIG. 4 is a sample template for selecting the desired settings forencryption of the image data.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a system and method fortransferring image data from a document reading device to a plurality ofagents. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram preferred embodiment of the systemaccording to the present invention generally designated as 100. Thesystem comprises an image generating device 102, such as a scanner orcopier, for generating image data. The image generating device is anysuitable document reading device known in the art. Preferably, the imagegenerating device is a scanning device, a copying device, a facsimiledevice, or a multifunctional peripheral device. More preferably, theimage generating device is a scanning device. Suitable commerciallyavailable image generating devices include, but are not limited to, theToshiba e-Studio Series Controller. The image generating device furthercomprises a controller 104 which controls the functions of the imagegenerating device.

The image generating device includes means adapted for receiving thedocument or other data from an associated user to be generated. Suchmeans include, but are not limited to, receiving the image data fromworkstation 106 in data communication with the image generating device,scanning the document or data at the image generating device, and thelike. The image generating device also includes means adapted fortransferring the generated image data to at least one network deviceshown as 108 via any suitable means, such as a data communications link.Such network devices include, but are not limited to, an FTP server, anelectronic mail server, an image generating device, or a storage medium.The generated image data is also able to be transferred to a localstorage medium in the image generating device shown as 110 for localstorage.

The system includes means adapted for receiving information or data fromthe associated user relating to the generation and encryption of thegenerated image data. Such means include, but are not limited to,receive the data from workstation 106 via a data communications link orvia a user interface associated with or connected to the imagegenerating device. The user provides information, such as the user name,the password, the desired file format for the encryption, parameters forthe image generation, desired network device that the encrypted data isto be transmitted, and the like.

The system further includes means adapted for encrypting the image data.The image data is encrypted via any suitable means known in the art. Byway of example, such encryption means include Riverst-Shamir-Adelman(RSA), Diffie-Hellman, Digital Signature Standard (DSS), EIGamal, LUC,DES, Blowfish, International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA), RC4,SAFER, and Enigma. The encryption means are suitably associated with theimage generating device or a separate component as shown at 112.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the method according to the presentinvention. At 202, the document or data is received from the user asdescribed above. At 204, the image data is generated according to anyparameters as specified by the user. Preferably the image data isgenerated in a TIFF or PDF format. Such format is preferably specifiedby the user via any suitable means.

FIG. 3 shows a sample template 300 for selecting the parameters for theimage generation and the selected network device to which the image datais transmitted. The user selects whether it is a double-sided scan imageat 302. The user then specifies the rotation at 304, the document typeat 306, the resolution at 308, the exposure at 310, and the size of theoriginal at 312. The region specified at 314 shows the various networkdevices which are able to receive image data from the image generatingdevice. The user selects the desired devices and provides the parametersfor transferring the image data to such device. The user can then selectthe OK button 316 to save the setting or the Cancel button 318 to cancelthe settings entered.

At 206, the user is requested to provide information regarding theencryption of the image data via any suitable means. Such informationincludes at least the password required to access the encrypted data andpreferably, the user name and any other related information.

FIG. 4 shows a sample template 400 for providing the informationrelating to encrypting the document or data. At 402, the user providesthe user name. At 404, the user enters the desired password. At 406, theuser enters the desired format for the encrypted file. In anotherembodiment, a default file format is selected for the encrypted file bythe system administrator or the like and the user is not allowed toselect or change the file format. The user saves the selections byselecting the OK button 408. The user cancels the selections byselecting the Cancel button 410.

At 208, document or data is encrypted via any suitable names using thepassword as selected by the user into a suitable file format. The fileformat is preferably a zip file. At 210, the TIFF or PDF file createdwhen the image data was generated is deleted. At 212, the encrypted fileis transferred to the selected network device as specified by the user.

While in the preferred embodiment the present invention is implementedin software, as those skilled in the art can readily appreciate it mayalso be implemented in hardware or a combination of software andhardware.

Although the preferred embodiment has been described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes, substitutions, andalterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will beappreciated that various changes in the details, materials andarrangements of parts, which have been herein described and illustratedin order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by thoseskilled in the area within the principle and scope of the invention aswill be expressed in the appended claims.

1. A system for encryption of image data in a network environmentcomprising: means adapted for receiving electronic document data from anassociated image generating device; means adapted for receiving, from anassociated user, password data associated with the received electronicdocument data; encryption means adapted for encrypting the electronicdocument data in accordance with the password data; and means adaptedfor communicating encrypted electronic data to a selected network devicevia an associated data network.
 2. The system for encryption of imagedata in a network environment of claim 1 further including an imagegenerating device for generating the electronic document data.
 3. Thesystem for encryption of image data in a network environment of claim 2wherein the image generating device comprises at least one of afacsimile device, a scanning device, a copying device, an opticalcharacter recognition device, and a multifunctional peripheral device.4. The system for encryption of image data in a network environment ofclaim 2 wherein the password data forms an encryption key for theencrypting of the electronic data.
 5. The system for encryption of imagedata in a network environment of claim 2 wherein the selected networkdevice includes a data storage device.
 6. The system for encryption ofimage data in a network environment of claim 5 wherein the data storagedevice includes at least one of an FTP server and an electronic mailserver.
 7. The system for encryption of image data in a networkedenvironment of claim 2 further comprising means adapted for convertingthe image data to a selected format prior to communicating the encryptedelectronic data to the selected network device.
 8. A method forencryption of image data in a network environment comprising the stepsof: receiving electronic document data from an associated imagegenerating device; receiving, from an associated user, password dataassociated with the received electronic document data; encrypting theelectronic document data in accordance with the password data; andcommunicating encrypted electronic data to a selected network device viaan associated data network.
 9. The method for encryption of image datain a network environment of claim 8 further comprising the step ofgenerating the electronic data via an associated image generatingdevice.
 10. The method for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 9 wherein the image generating device comprises atleast one of a facsimile device, a scanning device, a copying device, anoptical character recognition device, and a multifunctional peripheraldevice.
 11. The method for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 9 wherein the password data forms an encryption keyfor the encrypting of the electronic data.
 12. The method for encryptionof image data in a network environment of claim 9 wherein the selectednetwork device includes a data storage device.
 13. The method forencryption of image data in a network environment of claim 12 whereinthe data storage device includes at least one of an FTP server and anelectronic mail server.
 14. The method for encryption of image data in anetworked environment of claim 9 further comprising converting the imagedata to a selected format prior to communicating the encryptedelectronic data to the selected network device.
 15. A computer-readablemedium comprising instructions for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment comprising: instructions for receiving electronic documentdata from an associated image generating device; instructions forreceiving, from an associated user, password data associated with thereceived electronic document data; instructions for encrypting theelectronic document data in accordance with the password data; andinstructions for communicating encrypted electronic data to a selectednetwork device via an associated data network.
 16. The computer-readablemedium for encryption of image data in a network environment of claim 15further including an image generating device for generating theelectronic document data.
 17. The computer-readable medium forencryption of image data in a network environment of claim 16 whereinthe image generating device comprises at least one of a facsimiledevice, a scanning device, a copying device, an optical characterrecognition device, and a multifunctional peripheral device.
 18. Thecomputer-readable medium for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 16 wherein the password data forms an encryptionkey for the encrypting of the electronic data.
 19. The computer-readablemedium for encryption of image data in a network environment of claim 16wherein the selected network device includes a data storage device. 20.The computer-readable medium for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 19 wherein the data storage device includes atleast one of an FTP server and an electronic mail server.
 21. Thecomputer-readable medium for encryption of image data in a networkedenvironment of claim 16 further comprising means adapted for convertingthe image data to a selected format prior to communicating the encryptedelectronic data to the selected network device.
 22. Acomputer-implemented method for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment comprising the steps of: receiving electronic document datafrom an associated image generating device; receiving, from anassociated user, password data associated with the received electronicdocument data; encrypting the electronic document data in accordancewith the password data; and communicating encrypted electronic data to aselected network device via an associated data network.
 23. Thecomputer-readable method for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 22 further comprising the step of generating theelectronic data via an associated image generating device.
 24. Thecomputer-implemented method for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 23 wherein the image generating device comprises atleast one of a facsimile device, a scanning device, a copying device, anoptical character recognition device, and a multifunctional peripheraldevice.
 25. The computer-implemented method for encryption of image datain a network environment of claim 23 wherein the password data forms anencryption key for the encrypting of the electronic data.
 26. Thecomputer-implemented method for encryption of image data in a networkenvironment of claim 23 wherein the selected network device includes adata storage device.
 27. The computer-implemented method for encryptionof image data in a network environment of claim 26 wherein the datastorage device includes at least one of an FTP server and an electronicmail server.
 28. The method for encryption of image data in a networkedenvironment of claim 23 further comprising converting the image data toa selected format prior to communicating the encrypted electronic datato the selected network device.